POLICY FOCUS

 

Queen's Speech

December 2008

 

1. Background to the Queen’s Speech

The Queen's Speech is delivered from the Throne in the House of Lords, in the presence of Members of both Houses. Although the Queen reads the Speech, the content is entirely drawn up by the Government and approved by the Cabinet. It contains an outline of the Government's policies and proposed new legislation for the new parliamentary session. In an unprecedented measure and an attempt to create greater transparency, the Government has taken steps (since 2007) to engage public opinion on the Draft Legislative Programme which highlights the potential contents of the Queens Speech. The Draft Legislative Programme was made public as early as May 2008 for this year’s Speech.

 

2. Content of the Queen’s Speech

In a speech to MPs and Peers today the Queen said: ‘My government's overriding priority is to ensure the stability of the British economy during the global economic downturn. My government is committed to helping families and businesses through difficult times.’

In light of the recent economic downturn, new legislation is being drawn up to protect people's savings and reduce the likelihood of banks getting into further difficulties. A measure to increase fairness and resilience in the finance sector includes Saving Gateway Accounts.

Equality featured in the form of positive discrimination in favour of female and ethnic minority candidates, who will be allowed under the provisions of the Equality Bill. The Bill aims to tackle disadvantage and discrimination based on race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

The Citizenship Bill will replace all previous immigration legislation and aims to simplify the management of migration, border control, and the path to UK citizenship.

Key Bills in the Speech:

• Equality Bill: for England, Wales and Scotland - Aims to streamline laws on sex, race and religious discrimination, improve enforcement and allow political parties to use all-women shortlists until 2030.
• Citizenship, Immigration and Borders Bill: Brings together customs and immigration and introduces a new path to citizenship which rewards good behaviour but holds the process up "if migrants don't make an effort to integrate or commit even minor crimes".
• Welfare Reform Bill: Plans to make the long-term unemployed in England, Scotland and Wales start training courses or face benefit cuts and to assess skills when people first claim.
• Banking Bill: Hands more power to the Bank of England to ensure financial stability and allows the Treasury and FSA to intervene earlier to prevent another bank crisis was introduced early and has already started its passage through Parliament.
• Policing and Crime Bill: Increases accountability of police through directly elected representatives on police authorities. Tightens control of lap dancing clubs and cracks down on cheap alcohol sales.
• Health Bill: Establishes an NHS Constitution outlining the rights and responsibilities of staff and patients.
• Child Poverty Bill: Will "enshrine in law the government's commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020".
• Children, Skills and Learning Bill: New legislation to fulfil the government's pledge to eliminate weak schools by 2011, and raise the education leaving age to 18. Other features of Her Majesty’s speech included a rethink on Marine Resources (simplifying coastline management), and to find long term strategy’s on combating climate change as well as working with devolved governments. Finally she also mentioned NATO, the Middle East, Iran’s Nuclear Program, and Afghanistan and Pakistan in terms of security and prosperity.
  

 

3. What does it mean?

The Citizenship, Immigration and Borders Bill from the Home Office means immigrants will have to earn the right to stay in the UK, this includes ending the automatic right to stay in the country after five years residence and create a new system of ‘earned citizenship’. Skills such as demonstrating good English, a knowledge of life in the UK before becoming citizens are key to the success of any application. Those who come to Britain because of family links will also be required to leave if their relationships cease to exist.

The government will be introducing measures to promote fairness, fight discrimination in the workplace and to address the pay gap between men and women.

Security featured highly in the Speech. Bills touched upon increasing the effectiveness of policing, to improve the Coroners services and bereaved families as well as strengthening border controls. The less contentious elements include laying down minimum national standards for neighbourhood policing teams and a new structure for police pay.

Finally, the introduction of a lie detector test for benefit claimants is the most striking shift - similar to Tony Blair's ‘respect agenda’.